The Guilt of Choosing Yourself

Why does making time for creativity sometimes feel selfish?

In Episode 9 of Create Anyway: You’re Allowed to Make Art, we explore a feeling many adult creatives struggle with but rarely discuss openly: the guilt of choosing yourself.

When you have a full life — a career, family responsibilities, and daily obligations — carving out time for art can feel uncomfortable. You may wonder whether spending time painting, writing, recording music, or pursuing another creative passion is irresponsible or indulgent.

But creativity isn’t selfish.

This episode examines why so many adults experience guilt when pursuing personal creative work and how that feeling often comes from cultural expectations around productivity, responsibility, and self-sacrifice.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why adults feel guilty making time for artHow productivity culture affects creativityThe difference between selfishness and self-expressionWhy creative time can improve other areas of your lifeHow to reclaim personal space for artistic exploration

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable prioritizing your own creative voice, this conversation will help you rethink what it means to invest in yourself.

Making art isn’t about abandoning responsibility.

It’s about remembering that you’re allowed to grow, explore, and express something that belongs only to you.

You’re allowed to choose yourself.

And you’re allowed to create anyway.